Foreign Language FAQ’s

Q: What foreign languages are offered to SBMA students?A: SBMA offers Italian, French or Spanish to students in the Primary Montessori Program.

Q: Will students learn more than one foreign language while enrolled at SBMA?A: Students will receive daily instruction in the one language program selected by each family, and will also be exposed to the other languages taught at SBMA throughout the year.

Q: Do students in the N.E.S.T. Program have any foreign language instruction?A: Children in our N.E.S.T. Program are exposed to both Spanish and French through basic word, phrases and songs.

Q: How is foreign language incorporated into the students’ day?A: In the Primary program, SBMA’s dedicated foreign language instructors work with students in small groups for 45 minutes each morning. While in their foreign language classes, students will hear the secondary language exclusively. Throughout the day, while in the Montessori space, the foreign language will be reinforced by our bi-lingual Montessori Assistants.

Q: How much do children absorb while in your program?A: Most students that participate in our program for the full 3 years of preschool are conversational in the secondary language. Some students, if ready, begin early literacy skills in the secondary language.